If you want to ski every weekend or every other weekend it’s to your advantage to get the most out of your skiing dollar. You know the slopes, now it’s time to learn the ropes. Here are three tips to help you save money so you can ski more often this winter.

Shop for Skis and Boots at the Right Time and Place

You might think that the Christmas week starting with Boxing Day would be a good time to pick up a bargain on a new pair of skis or boots. Think again! It’s true that during this time of the year, you can find big discounts on items like clothes and electronics. But ski equipment and accessories are different. Why?

Because this is not the end, but the beginning of the ski season, and most retailers will not put their ski gear on sale this early. That being said, you might find some bargains if you venture over to your local Sporting Goods store.

However, most of these places do not have a complete range of skis nor do they have experienced boot fitters on staff. It’s best to visit the Ski Shops that specialize in ski gear and accessories in the winter. They also have trained boot fitters so you can get a customized fit if you need ski boots.

You can always get a deal in the spring at most Ski Shops providing they still have the type of skis or boots that you are after in stock. However, begin your search in mid-February, since most of the shops begin dropping their prices around this time of the year, which is closer to the end of the ski season. In addition, you are more likely to find the skis or boots that you had your eye on earlier in the season.

Take Care of your Ski Boots

Ski boots are very durable, but they are also expensive, so you want to extend their life, especially if you have custom-fitted boots that fit comfortably and perform well. Avoid walking through parking lots after the snow has melted away. Rough surfaces will eventually wear the plastic soles to the point that they will no longer fit in your bindings properly, which brings us to the next tip.

Many boots now come with removable pads on the toe and heel, which can be replaced before they wear down beyond the safe limits. If you are in the market for a new pair of ski boots, make sure you buy boots that have replaceable pads, especially on the heels. Replacing a pair of worn, heel pads will save you a ton of cash versus buying new, ski boots.

Get a Lock for your Skis

When you buy new skis and if you do not already own a lock or your old lock will not fit your new skis, buy one before you leave the shop. Why?

Because, you may forget to get one before you lay the first tracks with your new boards. You will definitely be putting your skis in jeopardy of being stolen when you prop them up in a ski rack and head into the lodge for lunch. New skis are an easy prey. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Spend a few extra bucks up front for a ski lock to protect your initial investment for skis and bindings. It would be very painful to head back to the shop to replace a pair of skis that have been pilfered. Ouch!

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Do you dread walking into the rental shop every time you take a ski vacation? Do you find the whole rental process to be tedious, tiresome, and utterly frustrating? If so, you are not alone.

Many people find walking into the rental shop to be their least favorite part of their ski trip. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Your rental experience can be extremely pleasant.

In fact, if you adhere to the following seven guidelines, you might even come to find the entire process to be something that you look forward to on your next ski vacation.

1. Avoid the rush! Most rental shops are busiest between 8:00-10:30 AM and 3:00-6:00 PM. Don’t come to rent during these peak hours. If possible, rent during the off hours. You’ll find a much less crowded shop during this time, which offers you several benefits. You go through the entire rental process much more quickly when fewer customers are in the shop. You will also receive far better service. When the shop is packed with people, the rental tech’s main goal is to get everyone out as quickly as possible. But when the shop is emptier, he or she can spend much more time with you, answering all your questions, and making sure you receive the best possible fit.

2. Make advance reservations. Many ski shops will take advance reservations online. This speeds up your rental process. When you walk into the shop, they will already have all of your information on file and will have set aside equipment for you. This is especially important if you are renting during a peak time of the year, such as Christmas, or other major holiday weekend.

3. Make sure you know all of your family’s personal information before you arrive at the shop. You will need to know the height, weight, and shoe size of everyone in your family. If you have to figure out this information at the shop, it will slow down the whole process a great deal.

4. Understand that ski gear is not supposed to be comfortable. You are not renting slippers. Ski boots are supposed to fit extremely tight, and they may not be very comfortable. If your boots feel too comfortable, they are probably too big. Many customers get bogged down trying on 7 or 8 different pairs of boots looking for the “perfect fit” (i.e. a comfortable boot). Understanding that the right fit will be very tight and probably not very comfortable will save a lot of time and the needless trying on of lots of boots. However, ski boots aren’t supposed to hurt, either. If they do, you’ll want to try on a different pair.

5. If possible, buy boots and only rent skis. It is easy to rent a pair of brand new, top-of-the-line skis that will make your time on the mountain a lot of fun. However, it is much harder to find a rental boot that fits your foot well. Most rental boots have been on hundreds of people’s feet before you wear them. This doesn’t make for much of a custom fit. If you buy your boots, you can get a pair that is custom fitted to your foot. This will make your ski experience much more enjoyable. It will also cut down on a lot of time in the rental shop, since the boot fitting process takes the most time.

6. Keep everything except your sock out of your boot. Many people try to shove all of their layers (ski underwear, ski pants, etc.) into their ski boots. This actually makes it harder for your boot to fit properly. You only want your sock in your boot. Everything else should go outside of your boot. Also, stick to one pair of socks. Wearing two pairs actually makes your feet colder, and your boot will not fit as well.

7. Don’t be afraid to talk with the rental techs. Most people who work in a ski shop are passionate and knowledgeable about the sport, and love to talk about it. Ask them questions about gear, snow conditions, the best places to ski on the mountain, and the best places to go in town when you get off the mountain. They will most likely give you some good advice that will make your vacation much more enjoyable.

As you can see, it is very easy to drastically improve your rental experience. It no longer has to be the hellish nightmare you’ve always remembered. Prepare to look forward to your time in the rental shop. It can help make your ski trip a vacation to remember.

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If you’ve never had the chance to learn to ski, but you’d like to start now, here’s what you need to do when choosing ski lessons:

•    Get ski equipment of reasonable quality and at least two sets of good, warm ski clothing.
•    Be honest about your ability level. If you’ve never skied before, or if you know you’re not very good at skiing, no matter how old you are, you’re a beginner. It’s better to learn the basics all over again than to fork over your hard-earned money just to find out that you’re not as good as you thought you were (and to have to move into a lower-level program after all). Ski instruction programs are available for skiers of all levels of ability. Make sure you identify your ability level correctly.
•    If your children will be having ski lessons along with you, make sure their instructors offer programs appropriate to their age and level of ability.
•    Make sure your ski instructor is certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America.
•    Find out exactly what you get for the amount of money you’re paying. Does the fee include the use of ski equipment, or do you need to pay a rental fee on top of what you’re paying for the lessons?
•    Try to go for ski lessons in the middle of the week, early in the morning, or late in the afternoon. You’re more likely to find a class with few students. Fewer students means the ski instructor will be able to give you closer attention.
•    If you feel uncomfortable learning a new skill with other people around, consider signing up for private ski lessons, at least until you feel confident enough to ski with others. Keep in mind, however, that private lessons cost considerably more than group lessons. Ask about payment terms. Paying for several lessons ahead of time may allow you to save some money.
•    Don’t be afraid to switch ski instructors if your current instructor’s style is not working for you. Remember, it’s your money. You decide where to take it.
•    Make sure your instruction schedule leaves you enough time during the day to practice your new skiing skills and to have fun skiing on your own.

Skiing is an extremely enjoyable sport. Choosing a good ski instruction program will make learning to ski as rewarding an experience as possible.

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Skiing is an exciting pastime that will give you an excuse to travel and meet friends as well as help you keep your body in tip top shape. If you’re considering taking up skiing as your newest hobby, here are a few tips to help you get started.

The Proper Positioning for Skiing

Positioning is extremely important when skiing. If you start out with a bad position, you’ll most likely end up with an equally bad fall. The best pose to have before skiing is to keep your feet slightly apart, with the distance between your feet equaling the width of your shoulders. Your skis, on the other hand, must form a V-shape.

As you move, you’ll have to slightly bend your lower body, starting from the waist, then your knees going down to your ankles. Make sure that your arms remain slightly outstretched and steady on your skis. It’s very important that pressure is evenly distributed to both of your feet.

Making a Turn

It will seem extremely difficult and scary to make a turn on your first attempt at skiing, but rest assured that this is a doable objective. The first thing you have to do is place your body in the basic position once more – feet slightly apart, your lower body bent slightly, and your arms spread widely – then slowly but firmly turning your feet to the direction you wish to take. Make sure that you still keep your eyes straight ahead and not down on your feet while make the turn. Once you’ve turned your feet successfully to the right direction, you’ll realize that your body has automatically done the same!

While it’s easy to make turns on slow and gentle slopes, it naturally becomes harder on steeper courses because of the amount of effort you need to exert to keep control of your body and your skis. Practice however will soon make you a pro at turning left and right.

Walking and Gliding

If there’s a short distance between you and your intended destination and you’d wish to cover it by walking rather than skiing, take your skis off and put your ski boots to work. It’s easier and safer that way.

To glide in your skis, on the other hand, all you have to do is assume the basic positioning once more. Relax your grip then let yourself go. Again, keep your eyes straight ahead and not at the snow beneath you!

How to Schuss

Schussing is a German term that’s now used to describe skiing downhill. It’s impossible that you won’t find a need to schuss if you’re determined to have skiing as your hobby. Thus, it’s better to start practicing now than having to learn it in an instant.

The first thing you should do is find an appropriate slope where you can practice schussing. If you’re at a skiing resort, any member of the staff or crew will surely point you out to appropriate practice areas for schussing. If you’re alone, however, just make sure that the slope you’ll be practicing on is relatively low, with gentle curves, and without any physical obstacles in your course.

Assume the basic position for skiing, with your skis pointed downwards. Make sure that you’re relaxed and confident before doing this. Don’t attempt to do this alone as much as possible during your first few tries. If you’re ready, let yourself go. Always keep your eyes straight ahead of you. Make sure that your skis and feet are moving in harmony as you go downhill.

Remember to keep the same amount of pressure for both feet or you’ll easily lose your balance. If there are small impediments in the course, use your hips, knees, and ankles to avoid or go around them. While schussing, try to find a position that’s most comfortable for you. The important thing is to stay relaxed!

Keeping Control of Your Speed

Just like when you learn driving or horseback riding, you’ll also have to know how to effectively step on the brakes and make a clean stop. To do so, you’ll have to assume the snow plough position once more. This will allow you to control your speed. If you wish to make a full stop, just turn your feet inwards while forming an inverted V.

Although there are certainly many benefits to enjoy when going skiing, keep in time that this is still a moderately dangerous hobby to pursue for any individual. If you have any past or present medical condition, be sure to inform your physician first about your intentions before trying out any slopes. Have fun skiing!

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Novice skiers are sometimes bewildered by snow conditions that can vary from day to day. Just when you think you have mastered one type of snow, you are suddenly faced with icy patches or crud. These different skiing conditions are a big part of what makes this sport so fun and exciting. Relax! With a little time and practice you will be able to perform like a seasoned pro on any surface.

Snow texture on ski trails is impacted by both weather conditions and the amount of people who are using the trail. Snow can vary in moisture content and density. Commonly, the colder the weather, the drier the snow. The longer that snow remains on the ground, the denser and heavier it gets. When a lot of skiers are using a trail of older snow, icy patches usually develop because the action of the skis over the snow causes it to melt and then freeze again.

Here are some examples of snow conditions that you are likely to come across as the season progresses:

Powder

Skiers love powder! This is newly fallen, soft, fluffy snow that’s untouched by other skiers. The vast majority of enthusiasts regard skiing on fresh powder as the ultimate skiing experience. Some will travel obscene distances to get to powder. Powder demands a unique skiing technique, though, and the beginner may fall a lot. At least the snow is soft and dry enough to even make falling a delight! The greatest challenge when skiing powder is to keep your weight distributed over the skis evenly. Since the snow is so delicate, excess pressure on one ski will cause it to sink. It is also necessary to shift your weight more to the rear than on more stable snow surfaces.

Crud

Crud is powder that has been skied on. As more skiers use the slope the trail turns into a patchwork of virgin and packed snow. This presents the challenge of perpetually changing surfaces as you work your way down the slope. Skiing on crud can be fun, but calls for a more aggressive technique than skiing on powder. Your knees should be kept bent to absorb the impact of the deeper sections of snow, and you will have to be constantly alert to what is approaching.

Crust

Crusty snow has a hard surface on top of softer powder. Crust is formed when the sun melts the top layer of snow and it then refreezes. Crusts can be either hard or soft. Hard crusts ordinarily do not pose a problem since the skier will stay on top, but softer crusts will break. Skiing through soft crust can be a true challenge because your sideways movements will be somewhat restricted. The most intriguing altogether is an intermixture of hard and soft crusts. Hitting a section of hard crust while skiing through a soft crust can cause a nasty crash.

Ice

Ice is the most challenging and the least amusing. If your skis are angled as they cross ice they will slip out from underneath you causing you to wipe out. Ordinarily, only parts of the slope will have ice patches and they can be spotted by their coloration. The key to skiing icy slopes is to keep alert and flatten your skis whenever crossing an ice patch.

Slush

Slush is very soft, wet snow. It’s created by warming temperatures that cause the snow to melt. Because the snow is dense, it requires a fair amount of effort to turn. Gentle, gradual turns are more successful than quick maneuvers, which likely will cause your skis to get caught in the snow and make you wreck. Falling in slush is definitely not fun! If you are a skilled hard-core skier desiring to squeeze the last few days out of the season, possibly you can tolerate slush. All but these few diehards are better off avoiding it.

Whatever snow conditions you encounter – have fun!

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